After being battered against a building in high winds during one escape, Houdini performed the escape with a visible safety wire on his ankle so that he could be pulled away from the building if necessary. There is film footage of Houdini performing the escape in The Library of Congress. Starting from when he was hoisted up in the air by the crane, to when the straitjacket was completely off, it took Houdini two minutes and thirty-seven seconds. After flinging his body in the air, Houdini escaped from the straitjacket. In New York City, Houdini performed the suspended straitjacket escape from a crane being used to build the New York subway. Houdini would sometimes ensure press coverage by performing the escape from the office building of a local newspaper. Potter & Potter, which is known for magic memorabilia, has some prized possessions of the iconic escape artist for sale. In many cases, Houdini would draw thousands of onlookers who would choke the street and bring city traffic to a halt. Ma1:13 pm ( WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A Chicago auction house is selling some of magician Harry Houdinis most iconic artifacts early next month. Houdini would then make his escape in full view of the assembled crowd. The British Houdini who pioneered the art of escaping from a straitjacket while suspended from a burning rope high above the ground has died aged 87. 3 His pseudonym is a reference to his spiritual master, French magician Robert-Houdin (18051871). One of Houdini's most popular publicity stunts was to have himself strapped into a regulation straitjacket and suspended by his ankles from a tall building or crane. Harry Houdini ( / hudini /, born Erich Weisz Ma October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-American escape artist, magic man, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts.

Houdini straitjacket escape